'Cross and burn

I never tire of writing about cyclocross, one of the most dynamic and spectator-friendly disciplines not just in cycling, but in all of sports. This was done for the Boston Globe (th published version can be found here).

'Cross and burn
The manic sport of cyclocross on full display in by the sea

GLOUCESTER – Stage Fort Park, with its expansive views of the Atlantic Ocean and rolling hillside topography, is an undisputed gem, for residents and visitors alike. Children can romp, and parents relax. And this weekend, cyclists can race, as the park again hosts the two-day ode to cyclocross, the Great Brewers Gran Prix of Gloucester.

"There is something about that place. It's got a soul," said Chris Zigmont of Exeter, N.H., an avid amateur racer and longtime cycling industry representative. "I've been everywhere in the world that cyclocross races, and little comes close to the aesthetic drama of Gloucester. It's becoming one of the very special places for cycling."

Now in it's 12th year, the GP of Gloucester, put on by local cycling club Essex County Velo (ECV), is firmly established as the pre-eminent cyclocross event in the Northeast, and one of the most prestigious in the country. Despite New England being a hot pocket for this zany, off-season cycling discipline, the Gloucester races are the only ones in the six-state region affiliated with a national race series – the North American Cyclocross Trophy. Still, the race is known from coast to coast.

"My wife and I were in Mexico with some friends last year, standing in the surf break, and we ran into some folks from British Columbia and Seattle," said Scott Bumpus of Seaside Cycles in Manchester-by-the-Sea, one of the sponsoring shops for ECV. "When we told them we were from Cape Ann, they told us they had heard all about the race, and wanted to come out to do it."

It's proven a win-win for the city as well. "Any time you can bring in that many athletes and their families, it's great for the business community," said Bob Hastings, president of the Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce. "It's also good for the psyche of the community. This is one of a number of big-time events coming into our city, and that gives the Gloucester and Cape Ann brand a nice bump."

The Gran Prix has even raised eyebrows across the Atlantic. Cycling News, one of the sport's leading voices based in the United Kingdom, recently ranked Gloucester as one of the best events in North America. In this gritty seaport city often known for hard knocks, cyclocross seems to be a perfect fit. There are no shortcuts. The only way to win is to bury yourself in the pain, and push through it harder and faster than anybody else. Former national junior champ Jesse Anthony of Beverly, when asked if the Mount Washington Auto Road Hill Climb race was the toughest 60 minutes he'd ever spent on two wheels, just laughed. "It's not even close," he said. "Nothing compares to cyclocross."

Cyclocross has often been referred to as the "steeplechase" of cycling, featuring a cross-country format with a mix of natural and man-made obstacles requiring racers to dismount and run with their bikes. Racers must combine the quick-twitch speed of a 100-yard sprinter with the agility of a star halfback and the endurance of a 10K runner. It's that sublime mix, coupled with the spectacular venue, that will draw 700 racers each day to Gloucester this weekend, rain or shine. In the past 11 years, the Gloucester races have been held in pelting rain, snow squalls, and dazzling sunshine. Nothing short of lightning will prevent a cyclocross race.

"The weather is always a factor," said former national team member Josh Anthony of Beverly (Jesse's older brother). "There was the year it snowed one day, and was 60 degrees the next."

Visitors to Stage Fort Park this weekend can be forgiven if they suspect a two-wheeled cage match just broke out. Suffice to say, all is fair in love and 'cross. The races often feature full-body contact, and bruised egos, especially at the elite men's level. In fact, something of a border war has been brewing between Tim Johnson of Beverly, a three-time national elite champ, and New Hampshire's Jonathan Page, who has also claimed the national elite crown three times. The two rubbed elbows and more during the Gloucester races last year, and again this past weekend at the Planet Bike Cup races in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin. The clash led to a war of words between New England's finest after Johnson's victory, prompting Page to state that he was returning to his Belgium home for the European season.

However, fireworks are still on the Gloucester menu. Johnson and his Cannondale-CyclocrossWorld.com teammates Jeremy Powers of Easthampton, MA, and Jamey Driscoll of Vermont are expected to lock horns with the upstart Team Seaside Cycles-Antero Resources, lead by homegrown riders Shawn Milne (pictured above) and Phil Wong.

The bottom line, say competitors, is that despite all the hard work, and possible carnage, cyclocross is flat-out fun. "When you find yourself racing in something big, like Gloucester, the crowds are unreal," said Fries. "The courses are narrow – just 10 feet wide – and the crowd is leaning over the fences, and ringing bells so wildly you simply cannot quit."

"The thing that sticks out to me about the Gloucester cross races is the intensity, the atmosphere, the wild crowds," echoed Josh Anthony. "In my opinion, the only other race in the United States that comes close is Nationals. It's always the 'hometown' race as well. For me and the rest of us North Shore riders, it's even more intense because of everyone screaming at us."

Former masters national champ Paul Curley of Taunton agreed. "You always try harder when lots of people are watching," he said. "Misery loves company."

"Company," or camaraderie, is another aspect that makes the sport special. Unmistakably, there's a genuine sense of "we're all in this together" among 'cross competitors.

"The New England and even national cyclocross community is tight-knit and easy going," said Dan Tieger, a veteran amateur racer and ECV member from Manchester-by-the-Sea. "Race days are mini-parties. You can race in the morning, get something to eat, and then watch the best."

At Gloucester, that party atmosphere includes grabbing a carbonated beverage, as the title sponsor – Great Brewers – returns with the ever-popular beer tent. The Gran Prix, says promoter Paul Boudreau, is the culmination of North Shore Beer Week, and spectators and racers can sample craft brews from Ommegang, Victory, Brooklyn Ale, Stella Artois, Smuttynose, Jack's Pumpkin Spiced Ale, Wachusett and Cape Ann Brewing. For the youngsters, there's a free Kids Race, which will be held shortly before 2 p.m. Sunday.

Last, but not least, the event has a charitable component. A portion of the proceeds collected will be split between two local non-profits, the Gloucester Fisherman's Athletic Association and the Gloucester Writers Center.

For details on the Gran Prix of Gloucester, visit gpgloucester.com.

FINIS